bombastic

adjective

bom·​bas·​tic bäm-ˈba-stik 

: marked by or given to speech or writing that is given exaggerated importance by artificial or empty means : marked by or given to bombast : pompous, overblown

The spots that ran before the title game were even more bombastic: "The greatest rivalry ever …"

—Franz Lidz

bombastically

bäm-ˈba-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of bombastic

• rhetorical
• inflated
• pontifical

Examples of bombastic in a Sentence

a bombastic speech intended to impress the voters in her congressional district

Recent Examples on the Web

That claim sounds bombastic when much of the art world sees the headline grabbing Banksy as a guilty pleasure at best. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 7 May 2026

There will never be another John Sterling, whose bombastic style and signature catchphrases became must-listen radio when a Yankee hit a home run. —Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 4 May 2026

The 77-year-old monarch faced a number of possible pitfalls from a bombastic US president known for creating controversy and generating headlines at the lowest moment for US-UK relations in modern history. —Max Foster, CNN Money, 1 May 2026

Woodman is known for being bombastic, but GoPro's track record in making indestructible camera gear is unmatched. —Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

bombast + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bombastic

• aplastic
• dynastic
• dysplastic
• elastic
• fantastic
• gymnastic
• monastic
• sarcastic
• scholastic
• silastic
• stochastic
• aeroelastic